The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-05-19

Spring and Summer Of 1852, and performed that
year much military service. In january 1853 be-
coming Chief OF staff to Gen. ROsecrans at Muir
freesbOro. Tenn, he at once became charged with
military duties upon more extended scale. In
this capacity he served through all the campaigns
of hat army till October. 1868.
" For distinguished and gallant services In the
battle of Chckamauga," he was, by President Lin
coin, made - or-General, to rank from Sept 10
1853
He resgned this commission Dee s. 1853. TO enter
upon the duties of Representative in the Ssth Com
gTess, To which he had been elected in 1862.
From Gen. Garfield himself have this incident:
Regretting his election TO Congress- and the conse-
quent necessity Of Withdrawing from the army he
went in person to Preside nt Lii coin and informed
him, and expressed to the President his purpose
not to resign his Major Generals commission and
asked to De again assigned to duty in the field
The President listened attentively his statement
then kindly took him by the hand and said: q I
can make another Major General, but / cannot
make another Representative and at this iuucture
the Governments seands IN need Of heroic statesmen
well as brave soldiers" The President then
added that he could not be spared from Congress-
The Presidents wish changed the Generals deter
minatIon, and his resignation from the army was
at once rendered and accepted.
Brilliant and promising as his army service was.
he was about to enter upon higher career of use
fulness in which he was, In the years come be
ranked among the fOremOs. statesmen Of his own
or any other country.
When Garfield first stood upon the floor Of the
House OF Representatives no WAS but 80 years of
age. In that House were many trained parliament
arlans and educated statesmen of long experience.
With these he was at once To cope In keeping
with his army experience. he opened his legislative
career both valiautly and well. During the almost
two years OF war, slavery still held its citadel.
President Lincoln was jast then posing his pen TO
write the Proclamation Of Emancipation, wars de-
cree ofliberty.
Gen. GarfeId's history as n statesman can only
be referred to here His speeches and reports,
touching all the living. leading questions Of the day,
may be mainly found in the public records cover
ing period of Is consecutive years of congress
iOnal labor
These were years Of marvellous industry for Gen.
Garfield, who was ambitious and Jealous in the
discharge Of duty. During most of these years he
bore the heat and burden of legislative Fencounter
in debate, and did tOilsome work at the head OF
principal committees. He few from his arduouS
Legislative duties to the people and oil the mo-
mentous issues of the day with that mighty power
of oratOry possessed by him, persuaded them "a
uphold the hands Of the Governments through each
recurring crisis.
He early favored the amendment to the Constitu-
tion of the United States abolishin2 slavery.
Capital City exhibited itself in its worst nnOss de
bant and dangerous form. Within the limit of the
sound OF my voice to be seen, when the war
began, the slave auctioneer's pen and block
wherein and whereon the bodies and souls of men
women and children, bearing the image Of God
were bought and sold.
The latter part of Gen. Keifcr's grafton was
careful analysis OF the character of Gen. Gar
field and fitting tribute to his worth. In
conclusion he said, turning to Gen. Sheridan
''I now, on behalf Of the Army Of the CunIber.
land and for the society, transfer to you as
the President of that society, this beautiful
. and enduring monument"